A Long Island detective was charged with a hate crime Wednesday after calling a telephone service worker the n-word and spouting “We don’t want you and your kind around us” in a racist rant.
Rockville Center Detective John Murphy, 40, reportedly flew into a spiteful rage after seeing a black cellphone subcontractor in an SUV near Sylvan Court and Weeks Avenue in his Manorville neighborhood on Nov. 3 around 7 p.m.
Murphy reportedly stormed up to the 48-year-old worker and said, “Go away. We don’t want you and your kind around, n–r,” according to a criminal complaint.
The hate-filled detective then kicked the victim’s SUV and ripped off a light attached to the top of the vehicle before breaking it into pieces and throwing it at the victim, hitting the left side of his face, the charges allege court documents.
Just before the violent altercation, Murphy – who was off duty at the time – allegedly asked the victim what he was doing in the area while identifying himself as a law enforcement officer.
When the worker tried to hand over his ID, Murphy refused to look at it, police said.
Murphy, of Manorville, was hit with criminal mischief as a hate crime and aggravated harassment.
He ignored reporters’ questions after his appearance on Wednesday.
Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney condemned Murphy’s alleged bigoted attack.
“The victim here was simply trying to do his job when the suspect allegedly harassed him and damaged his vehicle,” Tierney said in a statement.
“To make matters worse, the defendant is a sworn law enforcement officer, responsible for protecting the rights of citizens, rather than violating them as alleged here.”
Murphy is due back in court on December 3 and was ordered to stay away from the victim.
Rockville Center police suspended Murphy Wednesday morning. according to Newsday.
